He called for reforming the three main drivers of the national debt — Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, but not on the backs of grandparents.

"I'm a consistent conservative, and I'm no Nancy Pelosi," Shuster said. "Over the next four months it's going to be a spirited, spirited campaign."

The two Republican Franklin County commissioners introduced Shuster. Both David Keller and Robert Thomas spoke highly of Shuster's availability, willingness and effectiveness in helping the county, despite his promotion to chairman the House Transportation Committee.

Shuster said he could not rise to a chairmanship without the support of his constituents in the 9th District.

Elected officials, party committeemen and local candidates were in the audience.

They were "a cheerleading group of establishment Republicans," Halvorson told a reporter after the rally. People he had canvassed in the county the same day were willing to let Shuster go, he said.

Every time that Shuster voted for a spending bill he voted for Obamacare, Halvorson said. Shuster's more than 40 votes to repeal Obamacare shows his ineffectiveness, Halvorson said.

Shuster noted that some in the audience were not his supporters.

"I hope I can convince them to support me in the upcoming election," he said.

The lone standing ovation of the rally came as Shuster entered the room.

Pauline Cameron of Chambersburg stood at the back of the room to show her support. "I just like everything he stands for," she said.

Others like Garland Summerall of Chambersburg had hoped to ask questions. The Navy veteran had three concerns about his military and federal retirement benefits.

"I brought it up before," he said. "I don't know what they do in Washington every day. I don't know."

The Franklin County Republican Party won't pick a favorite in the primary, but Chairman Dwight Weidman attended the rally on Thursday. He said 104 people signed in.

"The turnout was great considering the weather," he said. "I think it shows the level of support for Bill Shuster. I think the people of Franklin County are ready to re-elect Bill Shuster. There's no reason to throw him out."

The rally was Shuster's third in as many days. The first in Indiana County was postponed because of snow. About 100 people braved zero-degree temperatures to attend the second in Blair County.